By Red Dimaandal-Escamillas
In her Miss Universe national costume, Ahtisa Manalo steps onto the world stage honoring the Filipino fiesta. Her look transcends mere fashion; it becomes a storytelling canvas that speaks of the Philippines’ enduring love for color, community and festivity. As she moves, she carries with her the collective joy of a nation whose identity is shaped by centuries of tradition and celebration.
Photos: Instagram/Ahtisa Manalo (Photographed by Seven Barretto)
Designed by the visionary Mak Tumang, the ensemble begins with the timeless silhouette of the traje de mestiza: the camisa with its bell-shaped sleeves, the saya or skirt, and the modest panuelo draped across the shoulders. These elements pay homage to Maria Clara, the beloved heroine of Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and the enduring symbol of the ideal Filipina.
Photos: Instagram/Ahtisa Manalo (Photographed by Seven Barretto)
At the heart of the design is hand-embroidered pina, a textile woven from delicate pineapple leaf fibers. Its natural sheen reflects not only the meticulous craftsmanship behind the garment but also the radiant resilience of the Filipina spirit.
Completing the look is a skirt that transforms into a festival in motion, drawing inspiration from the country’s grandest celebrations: The Giant Lantern Festival of Pampanga, Lucban’s Pahiyas Festival, and The Panagbenga Festival. Through these elements, Ahtisa became a living embodiment of the Philippines, carrying the brilliance of a thousand lanterns, the warmth of Filipino hospitality, and the timeless grace of Maria Clara onto the Miss Universe stage.
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Jasmine Curtis-Smith is on the cover of STYLISH Magazine right now, as she shares her thoughts on good storytelling in films, as she’s set to star in upcoming movies Open Night, a 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival sapphic film entry; and Manila’s Finest, an upcoming 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) crime drama movie.
Read the Stylish Magazine September-October 2025 cover story here.
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